SJC Weighs Case On Taxing Conservation Land

Henry Eggert, of Hawley’s Board of Assessors, wants the New England Forestry Foundation to pay more for its land. (Bruce Gellerman/WBUR)

A dispute over forests in the Berkshires could have broad implications for conservationists across the state.

A small town in Western Massachusetts wants to reap tax revenues fro a large swath of conservation land, but the non-profit that owns the land says they shouldn’t have to pay taxes on their charitable work.

The state Supreme Judicial Court is expected to rule this month on the case.